Eighteen years removed from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and on Flight 93, calls for unity in America were renewed Wednesday by U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner, both of Colorado.

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo.

“The terrorists who carried out these evil acts wanted nothing more than to fill us with fear and hate, but they failed,” Bennet said. “Instead, we endured, came together, and showed the goodness of the American people.”

The coordinated attacks were claimed by al-Qaeda, resulting in the deaths of 2,996 and injury to more than 6,000 others. In the nearly two decades since the attack, others have died as a result of 9/11-related cancer and respiratory disease.

“Americans woke up to realize that nearly 3,000 people had lost their lives in an attack against the United States by terrorists who struck at the very heart of our country: images of freedom, prosperity, and opportunity in New York, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania,” Gardner said. “And what we have done since that time is build a greater, stronger, united nation to fight against terror wherever it may be: in the United States and around the globe, to make sure that it never happens again.”

A glance at the nightly news programming might unveil the growing political divide in Washin

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet

gton and lack of the unity that was created following the 2001 attacks, yet Bennet, a Democrat, and Gardner, a Republican, are calling for a restoration of that unity in Washington and throughout the country.

“At a time of immense darkness, we saw the light of heroes rushing into burning buildings, brave service members putting country above self, and neighbors lending a helping hand. The American people can – and must – reclaim this spirit,” Bennet said.

Work will progress because of unity, Gardner said, pointing to the passage of the Victim Compensation Fund for 9/11 first responders with Democrat Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand that ensures those who suffer illness as a result of going into danger, as well as their families, are taken care of.

“That’s the kind of work this country has to do in the wake of great tragedy, the work that we will always do together,” Gardner said. “We will always remember, we will never forget, and we will stand as the United States of America.”

Brian Porter has 23 years experience in newspapering. He has published The Fort Morgan Times since 2017 and the Brush News-Tribune since 2016. At Brush, he conceptually created the Brush Beet Express. Porter was prevously the general manager of newspapers based in Texas. In his free time, Porter enjoys carpentry, hunting and fishing with his Labradors named Bonnie & Clyde.